Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots review

Metal Gear Solid 4 is the most important PS3 exclusive for collectors. Konami describes an older Solid Snake infiltrating key locations across the Middle East and South America in a future where conglomerates fight with mercenary armies. The publisher says it was the series' first move to non-linear stages and introduced the OctoCamo suit, the remote-controlled Metal Gear Mk. II droid and an enhanced Close Quarters Combat system. Konami brought it to PSN as a digital download on December 16, 2014 for $19.99, a 30 GB file, and DKOldies lists the used disc at $19.99. It ranks ninth on ease of setup: cutscenes are long, the plot leans on the whole series, and the download size is heavy for older PS3 hard drives. Fans of the series rate it highly, and it stays one of the best reasons to keep a PS3.

Who it is for

Metal Gear fans and collectors who want one of the PS3's flagship stealth games.

Price

Used PS3 disc from $19.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $19.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Solid Snake's final story across the Middle East and South America
• First Metal Gear with non-linear stages, according to Konami
• OctoCamo suit that blends Snake into his surroundings
• Remote-controlled Metal Gear Mk. II droid
• Enhanced Close Quarters Combat system

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Konami sold it on PS3 disc and later as a PSN download
• Strength: Deep stealth systems with many ways through each stage
• Strength: Konami priced the 2014 PSN version at $19.99
• Weakness: Very long cutscenes
• Weakness: Story assumes knowledge of earlier Metal Gear games
• Weakness: The PSN download is 30 GB, a lot for older PS3 drives

Key facts

• Publisher: Konami
• Original release: 2008
• PSN digital release: December 16, 2014, $19.99 SRP
• Download size: 30 GB
• ESRB: Mature

Where it ranks

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is No. 9 in our Best PS3 Games of All Time verdict.